Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The Tokyo Games are set to begin on 23 July

Tokyo Olympics organisers insist Games will go ahead

Tokyo Olympics organisers have insisted that the Covid-19-postponed Games will still go ahead despite Japan declaring a state of emergency less than 200 days before the opening ceremony.

Olympics • 08 Jan 21

Christian Coleman has been handed a two-year ban

World 100m champion Coleman handed two-year ban

World 100 metres champion Christian Coleman will miss next year's Tokyo Olympics after being banned for two years for breaching whereabouts rules, the Athletics Integrity Unit said.

Athletics • 27 Oct 20

Mo Farah won the Antrim Coast Half Marathon at the weekend

Father Time forces Farah to focus on 10,000m in Tokyo

Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah has said he will not defend his 5,000m title in Tokyo next year and will focus on the 10,000m race instead as age catches up with the British athlete.

Athletics • 14 Sep 20

The 2021 Tour de France will begin on 26 June and end on 18 July, six days before the start of the Mount Fuji road race

2021 Tour de France moved forward to avoid Tokyo clash

The start of next year's Tour de France has been brought forward by a week to avoid clashing with the men's road race at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics,.

Cycling • 29 Jul 20

Deajah Stevens has been banned for 18 months

American sprinter Deajah Stevens banned for Olympics

American sprinter Deajah Stevens, who reached the 2016 Rio Olympics 200 metres final, was banned 18 months for missing anti-doping tests and will be ineligible for next year's Tokyo Games.

Athletics • 16 Jul 20

The rescheduled Games are just over a year away

Games won't be gorgeous and extravagant - Tokyo chief

The rearranged Tokyo Olympics are likely to be a pared-down version of recent editions of the four-yearly Games, Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) chairman Yasuhiro Yamashita said on Tuesday.

Paris 2024 • 14 Jul 20

"I am willing to take a drug test every single day for the rest of my career for all I care to prove my innocence."

Coleman faces two-year ban for missed drugs test

Reigning world 100 metres champion Christian Coleman has said he may be hit with a suspension which could rule him out from next year's Tokyo Olympics following a violation of anti-doping whereabouts regulations.

Athletics • 17 Jun 20

Will the stands be full in the Olympic Stadium come the summer of 2021?

Gillick: Wanting the full Olympics show just too risky

The process of a scaled-back Olympics presents challenges, but it may be the only option for organisers of the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, says David Gillick.

Paris 2024 • 04 Jun 20

Greg O'Shea: "I've been working for so long for this goal in rugby and to get to the Olympics and play in the World Series."

Fulfilling Tokyo dream my biggest passion - Greg O'Shea

Ireland rugby sevens player Greg O'Shea says he has no regrets over giving up a celebrity lifestyle after winning the hit dating show Love Island to focus on pursuing his dream of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.

Rugby • 09 Apr 20

The age limit for the men's soccer tournament looks set to be raised

Age limit could be raised for Olympic soccer

The age limit for the Tokyo Olympics men's football tournament could be raised so that players who were eligible in 2020 will not miss out following the postponement of the Games until the following year.

Soccer • 03 Apr 20

"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community"

Japanese prime minister says Olympics may be postponed

Postponing the Tokyo Olympics would be unavoidable if they can not be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday.

Paris 2024 • 23 Mar 20

Shinzo Abe intends to be present for the start of Olympic torch relay in Japan

Japan hopeful of hosting Olympics 'without a hitch'

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the country is hopeful of hosting the Olympics this summer "without a hitch".

Paris 2024 • 14 Mar 20

Limited Russian Olympic participation allowed at Tokyo

A maximum of 10 Russian track and field athletes will be allowed to compete at this summer's Olympic Games after the country's federation admitted multiple breaches of the sport's anti-doping code.

Paris 2024 • 12 Mar 20

Kellie Harrington is one boxer hoping for Olympic qualification this weekend

Irish Boxers train in London ahead of Olympic qualifier

The Irish elite boxing team trained today in London, as preparations continue for their Olympic qualifiers this weekend in London.

Boxing • 12 Mar 20

Cancelling Olympics 'inconceivable': Japan minister

Postponing or cancelling the Tokyo Olympics is "inconceivable", Japan's Olympic minister said Wednesday, as the new coronavirus outbreak raises fears the event could be scrapped.

Paris 2024 • 11 Mar 20

The Summer Olympics are due to start on 24 July

Fears of coronavirus pandemic spreading Olympic unease

Fears that the new coronavirus outbreak is on the verge of becoming a global pandemic have stoked concerns about the Tokyo Games and while the International Olympic Committee says there is no "Plan B" doubts remain the event will go ahead as planned.

Paris 2024 • 26 Feb 20

Olympic boxing in China has been scrapped

Olympic boxing qualifier in China scrapped over virus

A boxing qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for next month in China's Wuhan will be cancelled over the outbreak of a new virus, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

Boxing • 22 Jan 20

Scullion secures Olympic qualification with Houston run

Stephen Scullion has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing fifth in the Houston Marathon on Sunday.

Athletics • 19 Jan 20

RUSADA will fight their four year doping ban

Russia challenges WADA doping ban

Russia have formally contested a four-year ban from major sporting events over doping violations that President Vladimir Putin has condemned as "unjust," the head of its RUSADA anti-doping agency confirmed.

Athletics • 27 Dec 19

Ireland's Jonathan Bell discusses the video review with on-field referee

Harte: I thought Canada were 'clutching at straws'

Ireland hockey captain David Harte is still processing the team's "harrowing" loss against Canada and expressed bafflement that such an inexperienced video umpire was appointed to officiate the 2020 Olympic play-off.

Hockey • 29 Oct 19

McCarthy and O'Donovan are World Champions

O'Donovan and McCarthy clinch World Championship gold

Ireland's Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy have won a gold medal in the Lightweight Men's Double at the World Championships.

Rowing • 31 Aug 19

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy are going to the Olympics

Olympic spot and medal shot for O'Donovan and McCarthy

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics and will race for a gold medal at the World Rowing Championships.

Rowing • 29 Aug 19

Kelleher on her way to qualifying the for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Ireland's laser radial sailors qualify for Olympics

Ireland has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics sailing regatta in the women's single-handed event, following the final two races at the Laser Radial World Championship this morning,

Sailing • 24 Jul 19

Dingley finished in 18th place and will be back again on Saturday

Dingley bows out in semi-final at World Championships

Oliver Dingley has bowed out at the semi-final stage of the 3M Springboard in the FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

other sport • 17 Jul 19

McIlroy and Lowry could make up the men's team for Ireland at the Tokyo Games

Lowry hoping to partner McIlroy at Tokyo Olympics

Shane Lowry is delighted that Rory McIlroy has decided to represent Ireland at next year's Olympic Games and the Offaly man is hoping that he will be the man to partner the world number four in Tokyo.

Golf • 15 May 19